Profession forwarding manager

Forwarding managers plan and organise cargo shipments within national and international areas. They communicate with carriers and negotiate the best way to send the cargo to its destination which can be a single customer or a point of distribution. Forwarding managers act as experts in supply chain management. They know and apply the rules and regulations for each specific type of cargo and communicate the conditions and costs to the clients.

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Personality Type

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Knowledge

  • Supply chain management

    The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

  • Cost metrics

    Know various routing protocols to calculate itineraries; compare different possible routes and determine the most efficient one. Understand topological and link-state databases.

Skills

  • Plan medium to long term objectives

    Schedule long term objectives and immediate to short term objectives through effective medium-term planning and reconciliation processes.

  • Coordinate import transportation activities

    Oversee import transportation operations; optimise import processes and service strategies.

  • Prepare bills of lading

    Prepare bills of lading and associated shipping documentation in accordance with customs and legal requirements.

  • Manage carriers

    Manage carriers and help customers in assessing route, performance, mode, and costs.

  • Book cargo

    Book cargo for shipment following customer specifications.

  • Oversee shipment routing

    Organise the distribution of the cargo, also known as 'forwarding'. Take into account the instructions of the client and determine where regular routing or various routings may be required.

  • Have access to shipping rates

    Have the ability to access information about shipping rates and compare the information across providers. Use this information to prepare bids for clients.

  • Meet non vessel operating common carriers rules

    Understand regulations and rules in the field of non vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC), common carriers that do not operate the vessels by which ocean transportation is provided.

  • Assess carriers

    Evaluate carrier performance; evaluate strengths and weaknesses, network and infrastructure.

  • Manage medium term objectives

    Monitor medium term schedules with budget estimations and reconciliation on a quarterly basis.

  • Prepare documentation for international shipping

    Understand how to prepare and process official documents for international shipping.

  • Exert a goal-oriented leadership role towards colleagues

    Embrace a leadership role in the organisation and with colleagues as to provide coaching and direction to subordinates aiming at the achievement of specific objectives.

  • Oversee cargo storage requirements

    Oversee the implementation of requirements in the storage of customer cargo.

  • Develop efficiency plans for logistics operations

    Elaborate and implement plans in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste during logistics operations.

  • Make bids in forward auctions

    Create and provide forward bids, taking into account possible special requirements such as refrigeration of goods or transport of potentially hazardous materials.

  • Coordinate export transportation activities

    Coordinate all export transportation operations while considering export strategies and services.

  • Inspect carrier documents

    Inspect written or digital official documents required by carrier or country of import or transit.

  • Analyse supply chain trends

    Analyse and make predictions about trends and evolutions in supply chain operations in relation to technology, efficiency systems, types of products shipped, and logistical requirements for shipments, in order to remain at the forefront of supply chain methodologies.

  • Implement short term objectives

    Define priorities and immediate actions for the short future.

  • Plan transport operations

    Plan mobility and transport for different departments in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates. Compare different bids and select the most reliable and cost-effective bid.

  • Foster relationships with various types of carrier

    Establish relationships with various types of carriers e.g. trucking companies, air freighters and ocean liners.

  • Communicate with shipment forwarders

    Maintain a good flow of communication with shipper and freight forwarders, who ensure a correct delivery and distribution of goods.

  • Manage freight payment methods

    Manage freight payment methods in accordance with the procedure that must be followed wherein payment is made around the time the freight is due to arrive, clear customs, and be released.

Optional knowledge and skills

liaise between the client and various transportation services work in a logistics team create a work atmosphere of continuous improvement create import-export commercial documentation negotiate price analyse work-related written reports freight transport methods negotiate logistics services keep up-to-date to current customs regulations principles of cargo stowage set import export strategies administer multi-modal logistics handle shipment paperwork negotiate service with providers implement cost-effective cargo handling strategies on ships ensure legal accreditation for forwarding agent operations manage contracts provide advice to clients in terms of export restrictions control trade commercial documentation provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions use different communication channels adapt to changing situations apply procedures to ensure cargo complies with customs regulations communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languages

Source: Sisyphus ODB